AFP – Polish Boxer Aleksy Kuziemski (L) moves in against Nathan Cleverly, during their WBO World Light-Heavyweight … LONDON (AFP) – Nathan Cleverly's first defence of his World Boxing Organisation (WBO) light-heavyweight title has ended with a fourth round stoppage win on cuts against Poland's Aleksy Kuziemski in London.
The Welshman had been due to face previous title-holder Juergen Braehmer at the O2 Arena.
But the German pulled out and was stripped of his title, with Cleverly promoted to champion.
The 24-year-old Cleverly was then due to face Tony Bellow, only for his fellow British boxer to be ruled out after problems making the weight.
Eventually, the Welshman was paired against the 34-year-old Kuziemski.
Cleverly, warned for holding and hitting early on, buckled under a left hook from Kuziemski in the third round.
But, despite being hit again, Cleverly finished the round strongly.
However, the fight ended in unsatisfactory fashion in the fourth.
A cut opened above Kuziemski's left eye and referee Mark Nelson waved the bout off without even asking for the opinion of the ringside doctor.
Not that Cleverly cared, telling BBC Radio Five Live: "I felt it was my destiny tonight.
"Ever since I first put the gloves on when I was 11 this was the night I've been dreaming of.
"Now I'll say Nathan Cleverly is the light-heavyweight champion of the world," he added.
As for the fraught few days leading up to the bout, Cleverly said: "What a rollercoaster week it has been, but I picked myself up and stayed mentally focused. I was happy with that, I'm going home a world champion."
Some fans booed in response to what they thought was a premature stoppage but Cleverly said: "I thought if the ref had kept it going on a little bit longer I would have put him on the canvas.
"But the ref stepped in. That doesn't matter to me now. This is a great feeling."
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